ILOILO CITY, Aug. 10 (PIA) - Despite the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the government's Build, Build, Build program continues in Western Visayas

In today's Laging Handa Network Briefing organized by the Philippine Information Agency and hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales of the Office of Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) said that two infrastructure projects were already completed in the region.

Gonzales said that the Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), has already finished two projects at the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex in La Paz, Loboc, Iloilo City.

"These two projects will boost trade and tourism in Iloilo province," he said.

He added that there is also a 2.14-kilometer bypass road along Metro Iloilo radial road which is already 80-percent complete.

The P92-million project connects the towns of Sta. Barbara, New Lucena, and Zarraga towns in Iloilo, and is expected to be completed in November if the weather is favorable, he said.

The project, once completed, will help decongest the major thorough fare in central part of Iloilo and will cut down by 30 minutes travel time.

Likewise, Gonzales said that there is also a P55-million flood control project along Simbalon River, Barangay Lanag, Leon, Iloilo and targeted to be completed in October this year.

There is also another flood control project for Sipalay River in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental is also being built.

According to him, the 3-phase project started in 2018, and so far two phases amounting to P300 million are done.

"The third phase of the project will be completed by March next year," Gonzales said. (JBG/PIA6)